Hello!
Yes, I know, I need to post new chapters faster...
I have lots of ideas rolling around in my brain constantly but I can't seem to get them on a page, which effectively slows my writing. Oh the joys of writing stories.
Enough chit chat!
Enjoy (~^0^)~
"I should properly introduce myself. I'm Hanji Zoe, but you can call me Hanji, I'm also a squad leader in the Scouting Legion."
Hanji, Mike and two military guards with guns were currently escorting me through the military court building towards the trial room. Levi had to meet up with Eyebrows to go over their argument. My hands had to be cuffed behind my back, just to make everyone feel better.
I was surprised to hear that she was a leader. She doesn't really give off the "leader" vibe, then again, neither does Mike with his fixation for smelling people.
Hanji has been talking about the experiments she has been involved with and how she's almost on the brink of discovering the Titans' "secrets". However, I wasn't really listening. To be honest, I was becoming fearful of this trial.
If the Military Police were to win, they would send me down to the dungeons where I would slowly rot. If the Survey Corps won, I might get the chance to go on an expedition outside the walls, where I can separate from the group and be on my merry way.
We came to a stop in front of two closed doors, my stomach twisted. Hanji must have noticed my discomfort; she came around in front of me and put her hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eye.
"Charlie, don't say anything, Erwin and Levi will take care of the talking. They don't need to know what you really did down there. All the crime on your records are only guesswork, no one knows what you really did in the Underground and no one needs to know." I nod my head, eyes unblinking.
I could only think of the darkness that would suffocate me in the cold damp cells. I never realized how terrified I was of the darkness, memories from my past flashed through my mind. Dark nights so cold, I thought I would never wake up the next day.
Hanji gave a reassuring smile before opening the doors. The guards behind pushed me through the entrance with their guns, barking orders to move forward. Mike and Hanji followed.
The room is fairly large; benches where the public would sit are empty. In the middle of the room there was an empty space with a fence ring around it, a pole sat in the centre. The only people there were the Survey Corps - Levi and Erwin stood beside each other - and the Military Police, each team on either side of the ring. What I saw next almost had me turn on my heel and head back out those doors. Jack and Suzan were there with the Military Police; they wouldn't even look at me.
All I could do was stare at them, my mouth hanging open in disbelief. I glance over to the Survey Corps and find myself looking for Levi. I look him in the eye and I glanced back to where Jack and Suzan are standing, as if to say; what the hell are they doing here? He only shrugs his shoulders in response; it looks like they weren't prepared to see the two either.
I try to focus on moving my legs, making them walk towards my undecided fate. When we reach the centre of the room, I'm told to kneel; the pole is lifted so it slides over the chains on my cuffs. I give them a little tug just to see how secure the thing actually was.
Before me is a great table and chairs that sit up on a platform. One man is sitting there, most likely the one who records everything that happens here. A door to the right opens revealing an old man with a beard and glasses walk in. He walks towards the table and speaks as he sits in a chair.
"Well, lets begin this trial." That must be the head of all three divisions, General Darius Zackly. "So, you're the infamous Charlie Grey I've been hearing about." So they knew my last name, where did they find this information?
"According to a report, you're the head of all crimes that occur in the Underground. Commander Erwin, however, believes you are of use to the abolition of Titans. Do you believe you can put a stop to them?"
I look over at Erwin who's watching me intently, looking back at Zackly, I see him waiting patiently for my answer. "Yes, I believe I could be of some use…sir." I have to force the words out; my throat feels dry.
"On the contrary, the head of the Military Police and his company believe you must be brought to justice for your crimes against humanity. By the end of this trial, I will decide who will gain ownership of you. Do you understand the circumstances?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good, then we will start off by hearing what the Military Police have to say."
I look over to my right to see a man holding papers; he has short hair, a mustache and goatee. "Chief of the Military Police Nile Dawk, reporting. We think the criminal should be brought to justice. Our research suggests that she has assaulted multiple Military Police officers and killed at least more than two people. Considering her past behaviour, if she is not detained, she may strike out again, putting the public in danger."
"What proof do you have that shows what she has done in the past?" It was Erwin who spoke this time. Looking over to him, he looks so calm despite the obvious pressure in the room.
"Our proof is right here," Dawk gestures to Suzan and Jack. "Jack Carter and Suzan Forest have admitted to personally witnessing Grey commit these crimes." The discomfort is clearly shown on the two, my gut feels like someone has pulled it inside out.
"Is what he says true?" It was Zackly who spoke next; he took his glasses off to look directly at Jack and Suzan.
"Yes," Jack was the first to speak. "We have seen her kill a man." You might as well have thrown me inside a Titans' mouth. All my insides feel crushed from their betrayal; we swore that if any of us were caught, we would never speak of what the others have done.
I can't look at anyone, I feel like I'm going to throw up. Staring at a spot in front of me, I try to steady my breathing. Angry tears are welling in my eyes; it's a struggle to keep them from overflowing.
"I believe that concludes your testimony Dawk. Now, lets here what the Scouting Legion has to say."
"The 13th Commander of the Scouting Legion, Erwin Smith, Reporting. We ask that Charlie joins us, and use her skills on our expeditions to expand our knowledge on the Titans. I hope that keeping your past decisions in mind with our best member of the legion –" I catch him motion to Levi, I raise a brow in question but Levi never looks at me. "- that you will also consider and trust that her actions will further our chances in defeating the Titans. That is all I have to say."
"Are you sure that's all?"
Erwin continued; "With her…certain circumstances, I believe she may be our only chance to farther explore the outside world. This will also gain us land where we can grow more crops for the starving citizens."
There's a moment of silence before Dawk speaks again. "I would like to bring up something else. Her two accomplices, Jack and Suzan, have also mentioned occurrences of her "blacking out" when she becomes angry; these incidents often end with a person dead. She should be considered unpredictable with no way of controlling her." I wonder what else they told them, what kind of food I do or don't like?
"Charlie, do you remember the times you killed have a person?" Zackly spoke to me in a soft tone, as if he pitied me.
I grit my teeth, anger boiling inside of me. I look the General in the eye; "No, I do not remember all of them."
"Allow me to make a proposal." Erwin is the first to speak before any more points are added. "There is no denying that Charlie's actions are often unpredictable, therefore, I would like to put her under Captain Levi's watch. His title as humanity's strongest soldier is not just a catch phrase. If the time comes, Levi will handle the situation accordingly."
"Do you believe you can 'handle the situation accordingly,' Levi?"
"If you mean by killing her, then I have no doubt in my ability. Besides, brats who come from the Underground are nothing compared to what I deal with everyday." I look at Levi who has his arms crossed; his cold, grey eyes meet my silver ones.
"I think that concludes our trial. The Scouting Legion will be in charge of Charlie Grey. If anything is to happen afterwards, Commander Erwin Smith will take full responsibility. Court dismissed."
And that was that. Looking towards Nile Dawk, he's glaring angrily at me, and I glare right back at him. I catch the eyes of Jack and Suzan for the first time, the three of use look at each other. I feel the pole lift off my cuffs and I stand slowly, not breaking eye contact. I want them to see the look in my eyes; I want them to know that if I ever saw them again, I would not hesitate to end them.
The cuffs are taken off and Levi is there beside me, I never heard him approach me. He placed a hand on my back, guiding me out of the courtroom. His hand was the only thing keeping me from climbing over that railing and ringing out the necks of the people who betrayed me.
